Byzantium, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, survived the fall of the western half in the 5th century and continued to thrive for another thousand years. Centered in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), Byzantium preserved much of Roman culture, law, and administration, and it played a vital role in transmitting classical learning to the Renaissance. The Byzantine Empire was a major power in the Mediterranean world, and its influence can still be seen in the art, architecture, and religion of many countries.
